Oval Office welcome for Americans who thwarted train attack

“They represent the very best of America, American character and you know, it’s these kinds of young people who make me extraordinarily optimistic and hopeful about our future.”The president stated he was pleased to have the chance to shake the hands of Airman 1st Class Spencer Stone, Specialist Alek Skarlatos & Anthony Sadler.”I’m glad to see Spencer”.

He continued, “Because of their courage, because of their quick thinking, because of their teamwork, it’s fair to say that a lot of people were saved”. Alek Skarlatos. Their friend, Anthony Sadler, a college student from Sacramento, was also honored as a hero.

The White House said Obama will meet with the men “to express his gratitude for the selfless actions and extraordinary bravery”.

They encountered a gunman who was armed with a box cutter, pistol, and assault rifle, aboard an Amsterdam-to-Paris train and disarmed him.

Carter said their rallying cry recalled the stirring words of those aboard the hijacked airliner on 9/11 who shouted, “Let’s roll”, before charging the cockpit and forcing the plane to crash in a Pennsylvania field before it could reach its intended target.

Two passengers, including Stone, were injured in the Aug. 22 attack.

Thursday’s ceremony, in the sun-splashed courtyard of the Pentagon, was the latest in a series of events highlighting the Americans’ patriotism.

Selva called them “three young men who did something about evil”.

Francois Hollande, the French president, awarded them them the Legion d’Honneur medal, France’s highest civilian honour, alongside a British businessman who helped them subdue the gunman. Skarlatos was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, and Sadler was given the Secretary of Defense’s Medal of Valor.

He will also get a Purple Heart, which is normally given to troops who are wounded in combat.